The coming Jaguar XF-R has been caught in the valley of death. It was accompanied by a Jaguar XJ mule and shepherded by a fleet of Land Rovers charged with blocking the all-seeing eye of someone's Sony Handycam. Fortunately for us, they failed. The driver of this particular prototype XF-R couldn't keep his foot off the throttle, as at different points in the video you hear the growl of a big displacement V8 and the accompanying scream of a supercharger. Other than vents in the hood to let that 5-liter V8 breathe, the body modifications look to be exceptionally tame. With 500 horsepower, however, its acceleration should be quite the opposite. Follow the jump to check out the video.
Click above to see the Nissan 370Z in action, briefly.
As far as we know, the 2009 Nissan 370Z is due to be unveiled at the LA Auto Show later this year, so it comes as no surprise that testing is well underway. Our new friend Ryen was able to briefly catch a cloaked mule on highway 60, leading through Phoenix, Arizona yesterday, and although the video after the jump is brief, the VQ37HR-powered coupe does look a bit shorter than its predecessor, lending credence to the rumors we've heard since 2007.
As reported previously, the 370Z will be powered by the same 3.7-liter V6 found in the Infiniti G37, so output should be up and over 330 hp, with torque cresting the 270 lb.-ft. mark. The new Z will be shortened by five to seven inches, losing about 220 pounds in the process.
Hit the jump to view the video and check out BestCar's recreation here.
Sound the alarm and turn up your speakers – Ferrari has a security breach. Someone managed to get a good vantage point with a video camera over the company's private Fiorano test track in Maranello and caught the oft-photographed test mule of the upcoming new Ferrari model lapping the track at full throttle.
Known internally as project F149 and alternatively referred to externally as the Dino or GT California, the new model is expected to feature four seats and a retractable hard top. Although rumor has it that Maserati may be delegated the assembly (including the 4.7-liter V8 it makes for the GranTurismo S and Alfa 8C), this beast sounds every bit like a purebred stallion. Follow the jump to see for yourself.
The Ponycar Industrial Complex has been in full reconaissance mode and scanning the universe for Camaros, and agents have located a Camaro SS on a winding mountain road. It's deliciously ironic that the spotters were rolling a Mustang when they were strafed by a bestriped mule in white. It looks good out in the wild, intimidating, even – quite appropriate for a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs. Check the video after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Max!
The VW IROC concept is on its way to production in a couple of years as the new Scirocco. For most production cars from major manufacturers, one of the inevitable stops along the way is California's Death Valley for hot weather testing, and the Scirocco's no different in that regard.
It's been caught on video going through its paces in the desert valley over at Auto Motor und Sport. Propulsion for the Scirocco will come from a range of engines starting with a 115hp FSI four-cylinder to a 250 hp VR6, with prices starting at 25,000 Euro. You can catch the video over at the Auto Motor und Sport website.
During our last podcast, I expressed my disappointment to John that we hadn't received any video of the new GT-R lapping the 'Ring. Well, the spy shot Gods have blessed the offices of Inside Line with footage of the GT-R in motion and although we can't embed it in this post, you can click here for the full vid.
Two interesting tid bits are brought up in the video and accompanying text: First, the new Turbo 911 playing chase car is a clear indicator of what class of vehicle the GT-R hopes to compete and second, the shots of the GT-R accelerating from a standstill reveals that this current mule is equipped with some form of automatic tranny.
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